Public Bank debit card overseas activation guide for overseas use and spending abroad

Can I use my Public Bank¹ debit card overseas? Well, the short answer is yes, but first, you will need to activate it. Beyond physically using your Public Bank debit card while abroad, you may also need to activate overseas transactions when shopping online.

Keep reading for a step-by-step guide on Public Bank debit card overseas transactions, and also so that you can spend in a currency other than MYR. We'll also introduce the Wise card, a handy travel companion to make seamless card payments when you're overseas.

Can I use a Public Bank debit card overseas?

There are quite a number of Public Bank debit cards² that can be used overseas, but you will need to activate them for foreign transactions first. This includes ATM withdrawals abroad, and online shopping at global websites.

Popular Public Bank debit cards include:

• PB RCB MasterCard Premier Debit Cards
• PB Visa Lifestyle Debit Card
• PB Mastercard Lifestyle Debit Card
• PB UnionPay Lifestyle Debit Card
• PB-Petron Visa Debit Card
• PB Visa Debit Card

When you use your Public Bank debit card overseas, you could be subject to fees and charges, such as bank exchange rates, foreign transaction fees (for MYR-based debit cards or non-foreign currency cards), as well as ATM withdrawal fees.

When asked to pay in MYR, you should also choose to pay in the local currency instead. This is because you want to avoid the extra markup set by the foreign bank that dynamic currency conversion (DCC)³ brings.

Public Bank debit card overseas transaction fee

When using your Public Bank debit card abroad or in a currency other than MYR, transaction fees⁴ could be payable. You may also need to pay for currency conversion.

Transactions incurred will be converted to MYR using USD as the base currency on the date the item is received or processed by Visa, Mastercard, or Unionpay, depending on the card network.

Aside from being subject to the network’s exchange rates, which usually deviate from the mid-market rate, this incurs a foreign exchange spread of 1.25% of the converted MYR amount for the conversion of the transactions made in the foreign currency.

Public Bank overseas ATM withdrawal fee

Withdrawing money from an ATM abroad with your Public Bank debit card also incurs an overseas transaction fee.

For Public Bank debit cards, there will be a 10 MYR charge per successful transaction overseas. On top of this fee, other fees you may incur include the overseas transaction conversion fee, and any other charges as levied by the ATM provider.

💳 Looking for a card to use overseas with no foreign transaction fees and markups? Get the Wise card for seamless overseas payments and low, transparent conversion fees from 0.77%.

🚀 Get Started with Wise

How to activate Public Bank overseas transactions

Before you embark on your travels, don’t forget your Public Bank debit card overseas activation⁵. You can do so via the Public Bank ATM, online via the PBe website⁶ (more on that coming up), through the MyPB App⁷, or contact PB Card Services⁸ for assistance.

You might want to opt in for card-not-present transactions as well. This is for instances such as online shopping or when booking your accommodation before your trip.

Public Bank debit card overseas activation via ATM:

1. Insert PB debit card
2. Key in six-digit PIN
3. Select “Others Services”
4. Select “Card Profile”
5. Select “Opt-in for Card-Not-Present and Overseas Transaction”

Public Bank debit card overseas activation online

To activate your Public Bank debit card for overseas transactions online, you can do so via the PBe website and the MyPB App.

Public Bank debit card overseas activation via PBe website:

1. Login to the PBe website
2. Select “Profile Maintenance”
3. Select “Manage Card Profile”
4. Select “Card” under “Settings”
5. Select “Card Opt Out / In Status”

Public Bank debit card overseas activation via MyPB App:

1. Launch the MyPB App
2. Click on “Card Settings”
3. From there you can manage Card-Not-Present and Overseas Retail Transactions

How to use Public Bank debit card overseas

Once you have successfully activated your Public Bank debit card for overseas use, it’s time to enjoy your holiday. Just use it as you would a normal debit card for payments wherever cards are accepted.

To sweeten your sojourn, Public Bank has attractive travel promotions that help you stretch your MYR for your journey. You can also use the MyPB App to keep track of your wealth with ease so you don’t overspend.

Get the Wise card and enjoy zero foreign transaction fees and the mid-market exchange rate when spending abroad

The Wise card lets you spend in 40+ currencies at the mid-market rate including CNY, JPY, GBP, and SGD so you know you'll be getting a great deal in over 150+ countries. Simply create a free Wise account, order a card and top-up MYR to get started.

Virtual cards are free and can be added to your Google or Apple Pay wallet, while a physical Wise card can be ordered for a low fee of 13.7 MYR. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as two free ATM withdrawals to the value of 1,000 MYR each month, before low fees start.

While abroad, you can choose to spend with directly in MYR and let auto-conversion do the trick, or convert to your desired currency with your Wise account. Either way, you’ll get the exchange rate you see on Google, with low, transparent fees from 0.77%.

Know how much you're spending upfront with no hidden fees and markups with Wise

💳 Get your Wise card today

1. Public Bank Berhad
2. Public Bank Debit Cards
3. What is dynamic currency conversion (DCC)? - Wise
4. Public Bank Rates & Charges
5. Activate Online and Overseas Transactions for your PB Cards Now
6. PBe website
7. MyPB App
8. Public Bank - Call Us
9. Pricing/fees: Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information